Marco Rossi, the Hungarian national team coach, has attacked Liverpool manager Arne Slot in response to his comments about Dominik Szoboszlai and how he is managing his time during the current international break.
The Dutch coach had advised the Hungarian national team not to overwork Szoboszlai and to give him less playing time so that he would return to Liverpool in top form before a crucial period of the Reds’ season.
This advice apparently did not sit well with the Italian coach Rossi, who strongly criticized Slot for his suggestion.
“I’m not going to listen to a coach who spent £450 million last summer and yet made his team weaker,” Rossi said in a press conference.
He added, “How can I listen to a coach who made Szoboszlai, who is his best player, play at right-back?”
Slot has deployed the 25-year-old at right-back on several occasions, and has also used him on the right wing, away from his usual position in midfield.
Despite significant signings last summer, Slot has failed to replicate that success at Liverpool, with the Reds currently fifth in the Premier League. However, their chances of silverware remain alive, as they face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals and Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
On the other hand, under Rossi’s management, Hungary missed out on a place at the 2026 World Cup after failing to reach the European play-offs in a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Ireland last November.
During the current international break, Hungary will play two friendlies: against Slovenia on Saturday and against Greece next Tuesday.
